orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯr-fə-nij 

ˈȯrf-nij

1

: the state of being an orphan

2

: an institution for the care of orphans

Examples of orphanage in a Sentence

After the death of his parents, he was raised in an orphanage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the severity of her infection — and the fact that another child from the same orphanage also tested positive for hepatitis B — Kamischke, now 63, tells PEOPLE that Maren was likely not infected at birth, but by a caretaker. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

The Christian missionaries were returning from a visit to an orphanage when kidnappers forced their bus to stop. —CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Gift drive for orphanage Local philanthropist Rosie Mentado, who is a manager at McDonald’s, is running a holiday gift drive to benefit the children at the nonprofit Nazareth Orphanage in Tecate, Mexico. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025

With nine perfectly symmetrical arches as lovely as a swan’s neck, this orphanage had long stood out to me for its architectural splendor, which has inspired many to call it the first Renaissance building (Plate 1). —Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

orphan entry 1 + -age, after Middle French orphelinage

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯrf-(ə-)nij 

: an institution for the care of orphans